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" waited Stairs @strut @Mira WILLIAM E. SPARKS, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR .TO SAR-k GENT & CC., OF SAMEl PLACE.

Letters Parent No. geplanten october 1o, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT ne REvnRsrBLr: LAToHns,

The Schedule referred to in these Letten Pztent and making part of the same.

To 'all whom it may concern:

Figure 2, the same, to illustrate the manner of revel-sing the Alatch Figure 3, a perspective view of the hub; and in Figure 4,-a perspective view of the follower, both detached.

This invention relates toan improvement in knoblatches, the object being to construct the latch so that the bolt may be reversed, to adapt the same latch to either a right or left-hand door; and

The invention consists in the construction of the hub and follower in two separate parts, the hub being of .a cylindrical form, withan opening through one side, directly into the'spindle-seat, and the follower constructed of a yoke-form, to extend over the hub, and with a stud or projection arranged upon it, so as to enter the opening through the hub, and combined with' the yoke of the latch-bolt, so that when the `spindle is placed in the hub, it will, by means of the stud on the follower, force the follower into position to hold the latch-bolt to its proper place in the case; but when the spindle is removed, then the follower will be drawn forward, the stud'entering the spindle-- seat in the hub, so as to allow the latch-bolt to project suidciently far from the face-plate that it may be turned, and set to either the right or left-hand. l

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the same, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

A is the case, B, the face-plate, of common construction.

C, the latch-bolt, is arranged in the case, and pivoted or swivelled to the yoke D, also in the usual manner, and arranged with a suitable spring, to throw the bolt from the case.

E is the hub, seen detached in iig. 3, which is of a.

cylindrical form, constructed so as to be held in its seat in-the case, here represented as by a shoulder, a, upon each end, and formed with an opening, F, through its centre, for insertion of the spindle, and with a transverse opening, d, (see Iig. 3,) communieating, from the outside, 4through to the spindleseat F.

L is the follower, constructed so as to set over the hub, and with a stud, f, arranged upon it in such relative position to the opening 'd in the hub, that when set over the hub, as at g. 1, and left free, the stud will pass into the opening d of the hnb,'and extend into the spindle-seat, as seenLin iig. 2.

The follower is constructed with arms h, so as to operate upon the yoke of thelatch-bolt in the usual manner. l

The normal condition of the latch is as seen in'ig. 1. When to be applied to the door, to reverse the latch, if required, draw the latch-bolt from the case,v

as seen in fig. 1, to the position seen in iig. 2. Then the nose of the bolt being free from the face-plate, may be turned to either the right or left. will draw the bolt back into ,the case, as in iig. 1, when set to the proper position..

When the latch-bolt is drawn'from the ease, it will be observed that the stud f, on the follower,.passes into the spindle-seat.. Consequently, when the spindle is passed through the hub, the stud must be pressed ont to the position in fig: 1. Then the stud f on the follower will bear against the spindle, so as to hold the follower in that position, and prevent the latch from extending beyond its proper position when upon the door.

I do not wish to be understood as broadly claiming a reversible latch, as I am aware there are many de. vices for accomplishing this object; but

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure hy Letters Patent, is-

In combination with the latch-bolt C and yoke D,

.the hub E and follower L, the said follower constructed with a stud, f, upon its inside, and -so as to enter, through a corresponding opening 'in the hub,

into the spindle-seat, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set-forth.

WILLIAM E. SPARKS.

Witnesses:

J. B. SARGENT, GHAs. L. BALDWIN..

The spring 

